`MS-Pride` Bermudagrass

ABSTRACT

An improved Bermudagrass plant, having superior properties, suitable for a variety of turf applications, is disclosed. The Bermudagrass is characterized by a medium to dark green color, short-head density, low seed-head density, fine-leaf texture, excellent fall color retention, excellent sod strength, average cold tolerance, good shape tolerance as compared to other Bermudagrasses, excellent dollar spot and leaf-spot resistance.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety ofBermudagrass, which has excellent turfgrass quality, good pestresistance and above-average environmental stress hardiness. Theinventive Bermudagrass is suitable for use on residential lawns, sportsfields, golf fairways and tees.

The inventive Bermudagrass is characterized by a medium to dark greencolor, high-shoot density, low seed-head density, fine-leaf texture,excellent fall color retention, excellent sod strength, average coldtolerance, good shade tolerance as compared to other bermuda grasses,excellent dollar spot and leaf-spot resistance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The plant is illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, which are color photographs ofthe inventive Bermudagrass.

FIG. 1 reflects whole plant features of mowed and unmowed turf.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a field plot of mowed turf.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of a typical inflorescence structure showingthree racemes per stalk.

FIG. 4 is a photograph reflecting the leaf blade and sheath features ofthe inventive plant.

FIG. 5 is a photograph reflecting an abaxial view of spikelets of theinventive Bermudagrass.

FIG. 6 is a photograph reflecting an adaxial view of spikelets of theinventive Bermudagrass.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

MS-Pride (experimental name MSB-10) is a distinct genotype of Cynodonthat was developed and is vegatatively propagated at the Plant ScienceResearch Center, Mississippi Agricultural and Mississippi StateUniversity, MS. MS-Pride originated from a the 5th fairway at theVicksburg Country Club, on Aug. 20, 1980. Persons knowledgeable ofVicksburg Country Club's history said that this fairway was establishedwith Bermudagrass seed in the mid-1960's, has existed as a golf fairwaysince its original planting, and had not been intentionally replantedwith Bermudagrass seed, sprigs, plugs or sod since 1960. MS-Pride'sorigin may be from anyone of the following sources: (a) a seed withinthe original seed lot; (b) a seed or plant introduced unintentionally tothis site; or (c) a plant that developed as a result of anenvironmentally selected mutation(s).

The identifying features of the original clone of MS-Pride were a mediumgreen color, fine leaf texture, upright growth of leaves, and a highshoot density. The size of the original clone was approximately 6 ft indiameter. A 4 inch diameter plug was removed from the center of theclone and transplanted to a Bermudagrass nursery located at the PlantScience Research Center. MS-Pride was 1 of 72 ecotypes of Bermudagrassplanted and maintained its original green color, fine leaf texture,upright growth of leaves, and high shoot density.

In 1986, MS-Pride was included in a regional Bermudagrass evaluationtest located at 15 sites encompassing 11 states. Data was collected from1986 to 1990. The findings from this study confirmed MS-Pirde's mediumgreen color, high shoot density, and low seed head density. In addition,MS-Pride was found to have moderate cold tolerance, good shadetolerance, excellent dollar spot and good leafspot resistance, and atall 15 evaluation sites excellent turfgrass quality.

Morphological Description

MS-Pride has a narrow leaf width (1.1 to 1.5 mm), long leaf length (23.0to 35.0 mm), medium internode length (8.3 to 1.07 mm) diameter (Table1).

Seed Head Density

The seed head density of MS-Pride was measured at 3 location for 2 or 3years depending on location (Table 2). At all three location, MS-Pridehad slightly less than average seed head density compared to the otherBermudagrasses tested.

Genetic Color

The genetic color of MS-Pride was visually rated at 7 locations for 1 to2 years depending on location (Table 3). At all locations, MS-Pride'scolor was rated dark to moderate green. The stolons are light green andrhizomes are white.

The color designation of MS-Pride is 7.5 GY 4/6 using a Munsell colorchart rating.

Shoot Density

The shoot density of MS-Pride was measured at 2 locations for 1 or 2years depending on location (Table 4). MS-Pride has a high shoot densitywhich reflects a competitive growth habit, excellent wear tolerancepotential, and good surface resiliency.

Shade Tolerance

The shade tolerance of MS-Pride was measured at 1 location for 2 years(Table 5). MS-Pride has better than average shade tolerance compared tothe other Bermudagrasses tested.

Ploiday Level and Chromosome Number

MS-Pride's ploidy level and chromosome number were determined andcompared to other Bermudagrasses (Table 6). MS-Pride was found to be atriploid with 27 chromosomes.

Turfgrass Quality Rating

The overall turf quality of MS-Pride was measured at 15 locations for 1,2 or 3 years depending on location (Table 7). MS-Pride had higher thanaverage turf quality compared to the other Bermudagrasses tested. Thehigh turf quality of MS-Pride indicates that it will have widespreadappeal and acceptance as a turf.

Leaf Texture

Leaf texture based on a visual rating was measured at 8 locations for 1or 2 years depending on location (Table 8). These rating confirmedMS-Pride as a fine leaf textured Bermudagrass. The fine leaf texture ofMS-Pride makes it a suitable for golf course fairways, home lawns, andsports fields.

Establishment Rate

The establishment rate of MS-Pride was measured at scheduled intervalsover a 54 day period post-planting (Table 9). MS-Pride has a slowestablishment rate compared to the other Bermudagrasses tested. At theend of the establishment period, MS-Pride had a 92% turf cover.

Fall Color Retention

Fall color retention of MS-Pride was measured during November at 6locations for 1 or 3 years depending on location (Table 10). MS-Pridehad excellent fall color retention compared to the other Bermudagrassestested. This feature has special appeal in subtropical and tropicalregions (deep South regions of the United States) where chilling(dormancy) of Bermudagrass is borderline. MS-Pride's better than averagefall color retention makes it highly desirable in these regions.

Unmowed Height and Sod Strength

The unmowed height and sod strength of MS-Pride was measured at 1location for 1 year and 1 location for 2 years, respectively (Table 11).MS-Pride had a low unmowed height and better than average sod strengthcompared to the other Bermudagrasses tested.

Low Temperature Kill

The low temperature kill of MS-Pride was measured at 1 location for 2consecutive years (Table 12). During both years, MS-Pride had onlymoderate low temperature kill compared to the other Bermudagrassestested.

Disease Resistance

MS-Pride's resistance to leafspot (Helminthosporium spp.) and dollarspot (Sclerotinia spp.) was measured at 1 location for 2 years (Table13). MS-Pride's ratings for leafspot and dollar spot resistance werebetter than average compared to other Bermudagrasses tested.

Distinguishing Features of MS-Pride

MS-Pride can be distinguished by morphological and turf performancecharacteristics. MS-Pride has high turf density and quality asillustrated in pot and field plot culture (FIGS. 1 and 2). MS-Pride'sshoot structure is pilose on the abaxial leaf blade surface, pubescencetufted at the ligule margins, and glabrous on the adaxial leaf surfaceand sheath (FIG. 4). MS-Pride has a raceme inflorescence structure with3 racemes attached per stalk in a single whorl (FIG. 3). Averagespikelet density is one spikelet attached every 0.75 mm on the racemestalk. Length of an average spikelet is 2.5 mm with glumes extendingfrom 1/2 to 2/3 the length of a floret (FIGS. 5 and 6). The flower ofMS-Pride has a purple stigma and yellow anthers.

Compared to MS-Choice, Midiron, Texturf 10, Tufcote, and MS-Express,MS-Pride has a narrower leaf width (Table 1). Leaf length of MS-Pride islonger than MS-Choice, Texturf 10, and Tifgreen. There are fewdifferences in internode length between MS-Pride and the otherBermudagrasses tested; however, diameters of MS-Pride's internodes andnodes were smaller compared to those found in MS-Choice, Midiron, Text10, and Tifgreen. Seed head density of MS-Pride was less than Tifgreen,Texturf 10, Tufcote, Midiron, MS-Express, and Arizona Common (Table 2).

MS-Pride has turf performance characteristics that distinguish it fromother Bermudagrasses. MS-Pride has sod strength significantly greaterthan all other Bermudagrasses tested (Table 5). This feature isimportant because MS-Pride plants lack viable seed and they must rely onsod for propagation. The high sod strength of MS-Pride turf providesefficient sod harvest, handling, and installation.

MS-Pride, light all turf grasses, has a tendency to thatch. The tendencyto thatch in this grass is limited. The thatch is comprised of deadleaves, dead or living stolons and dead or living crowns. In contrast toother Bermudagrasses, MS-Pride has an average tendency to thatch.

The mowing height range for MS-Pride is from 1/2-2 inches. ThisBermudagrass may not be suitable for use for golf putting greens.Another distinctive turf feature of MS-Pride is excellent shadetolerance (Table 5). MS-Pride has significantly better shade tolerancethan Tifway, Tifway II, Texturf 10, Tufcote, Common, and MidironBermudagrasses. Shade tolerance, like sod strength, is a key featurethat given MS-Pride high turf desirability.

Other performance characteristics of MS-Pride ranked above averagecompared to the other grasses tested. Some of these features are highturf quality, good shoot density, good fall color retention, fine leaftexture, good resistance to low temperature kill, and good diseaseresistance. The following characteristics are also distinctive:

(a) Leaf color is line green and rated 7.5 GY 4/6 based on a Munsell®color chart for plant tissue. There is no anthocyanin pigmentationexpressed in leaves during the fall. The average leaf width is 1.3 mmand average length 29.0 mm.

(b) The grass has a dense canopy of leaves erect from a prostrate baseof creeping, strong stolons. Rhizomes are stout, branched profusely.Stolon color is 5 GY 7.8 based on a Munsell® color chart for planttissue. There is no anthocyanin pigmentation expressed in stolons duringthe fall. The average stolon internode diameter is 0.65 mm, the averagestolon node diameter is 0.85 mm, and average stolon internode length is11.8 mm.

(c) The grass has an extensive fibrous root system initiated from thenodes of stolons and rhizomes.

(d) Leaves are folded in the bud shoot; the blades are mostly flat orslightly V-shaped with a only the midvein visible; and the leaf tip istapered to an acute apex.

(e) The grass has a moderate frequency of inflorescence formation havingan average density of 450 inflorscence per square meter. Average heightof culms is 35 mm. The inflorescence consists of 2 to 3 digitate spikesat the top of the main stem, folded down at a 30 to 40 degree angle fromvertical, spikelets sessiled and closely appressed. The average lengthof a spike is 23 mm.

(f) The grass blade is pilose on the abaxial and glabrous on adaxialsurface. The ligule consists of a fringe of hairs. The sheath isglabrous, split with margins overlapping, and pubescence tufted at theside of the ligule. The collar is a continuous narrow band, glabrous andauricles are absent.

(g) The spikelets are glabrous in two rows, blunt at their base andpointed at their tips. Spikelets are attached an average distance of0.75 mm along the spikes. The length of an average spikelet is 2.5 mmwith glumes extending 1/2 to 2/3 the length of a floret. The spikelethas stigmas of light purple-red color rated as a 5 RP 7/8 based on aMunsell® color chart for plant tissue.

(h) The grass has a somatic chromosome number of 27 and classed as atripolid.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        A quantitative comparison of morphological features that describe             the whole plant morphology of MS-Pride and eight other                        bermudagrasses.                                                               Bermudagrass                                                                            Leaf    Leaf    Internode                                                                            Internode                                                                            Node                                  Entry     Width   Length  Length Diameter                                                                             Diameter                              ______________________________________                                                mm                                                                    MS-Pride  1.3     29.0    11.8   0.65   0.85                                  MS-Choice 2.4     22.6    10.2   1.43   1.65                                  Midiron   2.3     35.8    15.7   1.00   1.35                                  Texturf 10                                                                              1.8     22.9    9.4    1.28   1.28                                  Turfcote  1.7     33.7    12.9   1.10   1.33                                  MS-Express                                                                              1.8     23.8    11.1   0.95   1.25                                  Tifgreen  1.3     22.3    9.4    0.90   1.22                                  TIfway II 1.3     27.2    10.9   0.64   0.85                                  Tifway    1.2     28.2    11.8   0.67   0.89                                  LSD (.05) .22     5.66    3.02   0.172  0.222                                 Mean      1.65    27.27   11.47  0.93   1.18                                  ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        Comparative seed head density of MS-Pride and nine other                      bermudagrasses.                                                                       Field Plot Locations                                                  Bermudagrass                                                                            Starkville   Las Cruces                                                                              Blacksburg                                   Entry     Mississippi  New Mexico                                                                              Virginia                                     ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice 8.8.sup.1    9.0       9.0                                          Tifgreen  4.0          4.7       6.2                                          Tifway    7.0          7.8       8.2                                          Tifway II 7.3          7.8       7.8                                          Texturf 10                                                                              5.3          8.0       6.7                                          Tufcote   7.5          5.3       7.7                                          Midiron   5.7          5.0       7.3                                          MS-Pride  7.3          7.9       7.7                                          MS-Express                                                                              4.3          5.1       6.5                                          Arizona Common                                                                          4.7          5.9       6.7                                          LSD (.05) 0.77         0.67      0.82                                         Mean      6.2          6.6       7.4                                          Cultivar X Year                                                                         *            **        **                                           interaction.                                                                  Years data was                                                                          1987         1986      1987                                         collected.                                                                              1988         1987      1988                                                                1988                                                   ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Seed head density rating based on a 1 to 9 scale; with 1 = high        seed head density adn 9 = no seed heads.                                      *,** Significant at the .05 and .01 level of probability, respectively.  

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                        Comparative genetic color of MS-Pride and nine other bermudagrasses.          ______________________________________                                                 Field Plot Location                                                  Bermudagrass                                                                             Tucson  Santa Ana Gainsville                                                                           Starkville                                Entry      Arizona California                                                                              Florida                                                                              Mississippi                               ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice  7.0.sup.1                                                                             9.0       7.3    7.7                                       Tifgreen   6.3     7.0       5.2    5.0                                       Tifway     6.7     8.0       7.0    6.3                                       Tifway II  6.3     8.0       6.8    7.0                                       Texturf 10 6.3     7.7       5.8    5.3                                       Tufcote    6.7     6.7       5.8    5.0                                       Midiron    6.7     7.7       5.7    5.3                                       MS-Pride   6.0     7.7       6.8    7.0                                       MS-Express 6.3     7.7       6.2    5.0                                       Arizona Common                                                                           5.3     5.7       5.2    5.0                                       LSD (.05)  NS      0.75      0.55   0.65                                      Mean       6.4     7.5       6.2    5.9                                       Cultivar X Year              **                                               interaction.                                                                  Years data was                                                                           1987    1987      1987   1988                                      collected.                   1988                                             ______________________________________                                                Field Plot Location                                                   Bermudagrass                                                                            Las Cruces   Stilwater                                                                              Cleveland                                     Entry     New Mexico   Oklahoma Texas                                         ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice 7.5          8.0      8.7                                           Tifgreen  6.8          6.3      7.7                                           Tifway    7.0          7.7      9.0                                           Tifway II 7.7          6.0      8.0                                           Texturf 10                                                                              7.0          7.3      8.0                                           Tufcote   7.2          4.7      7.3                                           Midiron   6.3          6.7      7.0                                           MS-Pride  7.7          6.3      8.7                                           MS-Express                                                                              6.7          6.3      7.7                                           Arizona Common                                                                          5.5          6.0      6.7                                           LSD (.05) NS           1.08     0.80                                          Mean      6.9          6.6      7.9                                           Cultivar X Year                                                                         NS                                                                  interaction.                                                                  Years data was                                                                          1986         1988     1988                                          collected.                                                                              1987                                                                ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Genetic color rating based on a 1 to 9 scale; with 1 = light green     color and 9 = dark green color.                                               *,** Significant at the .05 and .01 level of probability, respectively.  

                  TABLE 4                                                         ______________________________________                                        Comparative shoot density of MS-Pride and nine other bermudagrasses.                        Field Plot Location                                             Bermudagrass    Las Cruces                                                                              Stillwater                                          Entry           New Mexico                                                                              Oklahoma                                            ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice       8.4.sup.1 8.0                                                 Tifgreen        8.4       7.7                                                 MS-Pride        8.1       7.3                                                 Texturf 10      7.8       8.0                                                 Tifway          7.7       7.7                                                 Midiron         7.9       7.0                                                 Tifway II       7.3       7.7                                                 MS-Express      7.3       7.3                                                 Tufcote         6.3       7.7                                                 Arizona Common  3.9       6.0                                                 LSD (0.05)      0.61      0.95                                                Mean            7.3       7.5                                                 Entry x Year    **        NA                                                  Interaction                                                                   Year(s) data was                                                                              1986      1987                                                recorded        1987                                                          ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Shoot density rating based on a visual scale; with 1 = low density     and 9 = high density.                                                         *, ** Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability, respectively

                  TABLE 5                                                         ______________________________________                                        Comparative shade tolerance of MS-Pride and nine other bermudagrasses.sup.    Bermudagrass                                                                  Entry          Shade Tolerance                                                ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice      4.9.sup.2                                                      MS-Pride       4.5                                                            Tifgreen       4.3                                                            MS-Express     4.3                                                            Tifway II      3.8                                                            Tifway         3.7                                                            Texturf 10     3.5                                                            Tufcote        3.4                                                            Arizona Common 2.5                                                            Midiron        2.1                                                            LSD (0.05)     0.39                                                           Mean           3.7                                                            Cultivar X Year                                                                              **                                                             interaction                                                                   Years data was 1987                                                           collected      1988                                                           ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Field plots located in Starkville, MS.                                 .sup.2 Shade tolerance based on a visual scale of 1 to 9: with 9 =            excellent shade tolerance and 1 = poor shade tolerance.                       *, ** Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability, respectively

                  TABLE 6                                                         ______________________________________                                        The ploidy level and chromosome number of MS-Pride and nine other             bermudagrasses.                                                               Bermudagrass                                                                  Entry        Ploidy Level                                                                            Chromosome Number                                      ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice    Tetraploid                                                                              .sup. 36.sup.1                                         Texturf 10             36                                                     Turfcote               36                                                     Midiron                36                                                     Arizona Common         36                                                     MS-Express   Triploid  27                                                     MS-Pride               27                                                     Tifgreen               27                                                     Tifway                 27                                                     Tifway II              27                                                     ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Chromosome numbers were determined using squashes of root tips.   

                  TABLE 7                                                         ______________________________________                                        Comparative turfgrass quality of MS-Pride and nine other                      ______________________________________                                        bermudagrasses.                                                                        Field Plot Location                                                  Bermudagrass                                                                             Tucson  Santa Ana Riverside                                                                             Gainsville                               Entry      Arizona California                                                                              California                                                                            Florida                                  ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice  7.5.sup.1                                                                             6.3       4.9     5.7                                      Tifgreen   7.3     5.8       5.4     4.8                                      Tifway     7.8     6.5       5.5     5.8                                      Tifway II  7.9     6.5       5.7     5.7                                      Texturf 10 7.8     5.8       5.1     5.1                                      Tufcote    7.3     5.4       5.2     5.6                                      Midiron    6.2     5.8       4.9     4.9                                      MS-Pride   8.3     6.5       5.3     6.0                                      MS-Express 7.8     5.9       5.8     5.2                                      Arizona Common                                                                           5.5     4.4       4.7     4.9                                      LSD (.05)  0.54    0.33      0.55    0.32                                     Mean       7.3     5.9       5.2     5.4                                      Cultivar X Year    **        NS      **                                       interaction.                                                                  Year(s) data was                                                                         1988    1986      1986    1987                                     collected.         1987      1987    1988                                                                  1988    1988                                     ______________________________________                                                 Field Plot Location                                                  Bermudagrass                                                                             Manhattan                                                                              Wichita Baton Rogue                                                                           Silver Springs                            Entry      Kansas   Kansas  Louisiana                                                                             Maryland                                  ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice  6.9      8.0     7.0     6.0                                       Tifgreen   6.9      7.8     7.7     6.2                                       Tifway     6.3      8.2     7.6     6.3                                       Tifway II  6.5      8.4     7.6     6.4                                       Texturf 10 6.7      7.9     6.9     5.3                                       Tufcote    6.9      7.7     7.3     5.8                                       Midiron    6.7      7.7     6.7     5.4                                       MS-Pride   6.5      8.3     7.5     6.4                                       MS-Express 6.8      8.1     7.6     7.7                                       Arizona Common                                                                           5.0      5.9     6.3     5.0                                       LSD (.05)  0.38     0.30    0.59    NS                                        Mean       6.5      7.8     7.2     6.1                                       Cultivar X Year                                                                          **       **      *                                                 interaction.                                                                  Year(s) data was                                                                         1987     1986    1987    1988                                      collected. 1988     1987    1988                                                                          1988                                              ______________________________________                                                 Field Plot Location                                                  Bermudagrass                                                                             Starkville                                                                              Las Cruces                                                                              Cleveland                                                                            Beltsville                              Entry      Mississippi                                                                             New Mexico                                                                              Texas  Maryland                                ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice  6.1.sup.1 7.3       8.0    7.0                                     Tifgreen   7.4       6.3       9.0    7.3                                     Tifway     6.7       7.0       7.7    6.6                                     Tifway II  6.9       7.5       8.0    6.8                                     Texturf 10 5.6       6.8       5.7    6.5                                     Tufcote    5.5       6.2       5.7    6.7                                     Midiron    5.1       6.5       5.3    5.8                                     MS-Pride   6.9       7.2       8.0    6.9                                     MS-Express 7.6       6.7       8.7    7.0                                     Arizona Common                                                                           4.1       3.8       4.0    4.5                                     LSD (.05)  0.19      0.49      1.14   0.38                                    Mean       6.2       6.5       7.0    6.5                                     Cultivar X Year                                                                          **        **        NA     **                                      interaction.                                                                  Year(s) data was                                                                         1986      1986      1988   1986                                    collected. 1987      1987             1987                                               1988      1988             1988                                    ______________________________________                                                 Field Plot Location                                                  Bermudagrass                                                                             Blacksburg Blackstone Virginia Beach                               Entry      Virginia   Virginia   Virginia                                     ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice  5.9        6.8        6.7                                          Tifgreen   5.9        6.8        6.2                                          Tifway     6.5        7.0        6.3                                          Tifway II  6.1        6.8        6.9                                          Texturf 10 6.0        6.6        5.7                                          Tufcote    5.8        6.4        4.9                                          Midiron    5.0        5.8        5.9                                          MS-Pride   5.8        6.8        6.4                                          MS-Express 6.5        6.8        6.0                                          Arizona Common                                                                           4.2        5.0        3.9                                          LSD (.05)  0.43       0.38       0.77                                         Mean       5.8        6.5        5.9                                          Cultivar X Year                                                                          *          **         NA                                           interaction.                                                                  Year(s) data was                                                                         1986       1986       1986                                         collected. 1987       1988                                                               1988                                                               ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Turfgrass quality ratings based on a 1 to 9 scale with 1 = poor        turfgrass quality and 9 = excellent turf quality.                             *, ** Significant at the .05 and .01 level of probability, respectively. 

                  TABLE 8                                                         ______________________________________                                        Comparative leaf texture of MS-Pride and nine other bermudagrasses.           ______________________________________                                                 Field Plot Locations                                                            Tucson   Wichita  Gainsville                                                                           Starkville                                Cultivar   Arizona  Kansas   Florida                                                                              Mississippi                               ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice  5.3.sup.1                                                                              6.7      5.7    5.0                                       Tifgreen   7.3      9.0      7.5    7.7                                       Tifway     7.0      7.7      7.8    6.0                                       Tifway II  6.3      8.3      8.2    6.0                                       Texturf 10 5.7      8.0      5.5    5.0                                       Tufcote    5.7      6.0      7.0    5.0                                       Midiron    5.3      4.0      5.8    5.0                                       MS-Pride   6.7      7.3      8.0    6.0                                       MS-Express 7.7      9.0      7.3    8.0                                       Arizona Common                                                                           4.3      3.7      2.7    4.3                                       LSD (.05)  0.92     0.68     1.01   0.43                                      Mean       6.1      7.0      6.6    5.8                                       Cultivar X Year              **                                               interaction.                                                                  Year(s) data was                                                                         1987     1986     1987   1988                                      collected.                   1988                                             ______________________________________                                                 Field Plot Locations                                                            Las Cruces Baton Rogue                                                                              Virginia                                     Cultivar   New Mexico Louisiana  Virginia                                     ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice  6.5        6.3        4.7                                          Tifgreen   9.0        9.0        7.0                                          Tifway     8.2        9.0        6.0                                          Tifway II  8.3        9.0        5.7                                          Texturf 10 5.8        6.3        5.7                                          Tufcote    6.7        9.0        3.7                                          Midiron    6.8        7.7        4.3                                          MS-Pride   8.5        9.0        6.0                                          MS-Express 8.8        9.0        6.0                                          Arizona Common                                                                           4.2        6.3        2.3                                          LSD (.05)  0.79       0.79       1.19                                         Mean       7.3        8.1        5.1                                          Cultivar X Year                                                                          **                                                                 interaction.                                                                  Year(s) data was                                                                         1986       1988       1988                                         collected. 1987                                                               ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Leaf texture rating based on a 1 to 9 scale; with 1 = coarse leaf      texture and 9 = fine leaf texture.                                            *, ** Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability, respectively

                  TABLE 9                                                         ______________________________________                                        Comparative establishment rate of MS-Pride and other                          bermudagrasses.                                                                         Days After Planting.sup.1                                           Bermudagrass                                                                  Entry       26       33     40     47   54                                    ______________________________________                                                  % cover                                                             Arizona Common                                                                            65.0.sup.2                                                                             66.7   90.0   97.7 100.0                                 Midiron     36.7     43.3   76.7   91.7 100.0                                 MS-Choice   36.7     38.3   71.7   88.3 100.0                                 Tifgreen    35.0     41.7   80.0   91.7 100.0                                 MS-Express  35.3     45.0   86.7   88.3 98.3                                  Tufcote     35.0     40.0   76.7   91.0 98.3                                  Texturf 10  31.7     43.3   73.3   88.3 98.3                                  Tifway      25.0     30.0   51.7   66.7 93.3                                  Tifway II   21.7     28.3   41.7   73.3 93.3                                  MS-Pride    20.0     28.3   51.7   66.7 91.7                                  LSD (0.05)  14.3     14.7   18.7   20.3 8.2                                   Mean        34.2     40.5   70.0   84.4 97.3                                  ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 All entries were planted on 620-86 using 2 inch diameter plugs         spaces on 1 ft intervals. Plots were located in Starkville, MS and plot       size was 5 × 10 ft.                                                     .sup.2 The % cover was based on a visual estimation of the % of the plot      area covered by vegetation.                                              

                  TABLE 10                                                        ______________________________________                                        Comparative fall color retention of                                           MS-Pride and nine other bermudagrasses.                                       Field Plot Location                                                           Bermuda-         Raleigh  Starkville     Loc. 2                               grass   Beltsville                                                                             North    Mississ-                                                                             Las Cruces                                                                            New                                  Entry   Maryland Carolina ippi   New Mexico                                                                            Mexico                               ______________________________________                                        MS-Pride                                                                              5.3.sup.1                                                                              6.7      6.5    4.3     5.3                                  Tifway  4.8      6.7      6.2    4.6     5.7                                  Tifway II                                                                             4.5      7.3      6.5    4.4     5.7                                  Tufcote 2.8      6.3      5.3    3.2     3.3                                  Midirion                                                                              2.3      3.7      4.2    3.1     3.3                                  Texturf 10                                                                            2.2      5.3      3.2    2.6     5.0                                  MS-Choice                                                                             2.0      5.7      4.2    3.4     4.3                                  Tifgreen                                                                              2.0      6.3      3.2    2.0     4.0                                  MS-Express                                                                            1.7      6.7      3.0    2.1     4.3                                  Arizona 1.7      5.7      4.5    3.4     2.3                                  Common                                                                        LSD (0.05)                                                                            0.68     1.54     0.43   0.76    1.74                                 Mean    2.9      6.0      4.7    3.3     4.3                                  Cultivar x                                                                            **       NA       **     **      NA                                   Year                                                                          interaction                                                                   Year(s) data                                                                          1986     1986     1986   1986    1988                                 was     1987              1988   1987                                         collected                        1988                                         ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Color ratings based on a visual scale of color with; 9 = green         color and 1 = brown color.                                                    *, ** Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability, respectively

                  TABLE 11                                                        ______________________________________                                        Comparative height of unmowed plots and sod strength of MS-Pride and          nine other bermudagrasses.                                                    ______________________________________                                                       Plant Measurement                                                               Unmoved   Sod                                                Bermudagrass     Height    Strength                                           Entry            cm        lbs                                                ______________________________________                                        Arizona Common   31.7.sup.1                                                                              26.8.sup.2                                         Tufcote          8.7       39.3                                               Midiron          5.7       39.5                                               Tifway II        5.0       121.5                                              MS-Choice        4.3       65.5                                               Texturf 10       4.3       77.8                                               Tifway           4.3       95.2                                               MS-Express       4.0       86.7                                               MS-Pride         4.0       157.7                                              Tifgreen         3.3       74.7                                               LSD (0.05)       1.8       34.5                                               Mean             7.5       78.5                                               Entry x Year Interaction                                                                       NA        NS                                                 Year(s) data was collected                                                                     1986      1987                                                                          1988                                               Location         Las Cruces                                                                              Starkville                                                          New Mexico                                                                              Mississippi                                        ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 The shoot height was determined by measuring the height of the         grass at its maximum length above the soil surface.                           .sup.2 Sod strength was determined by measuring the amount of force (lbs)     required to shear an 18 × 24 × 1" section of sod.            

                  TABLE 12                                                        ______________________________________                                        Comparative turf mortality due to winter kill of MS-Pride and nine            other bermudagrasses.sup.1.                                                                  Year                                                           Bermudagrass     1987    1988                                                 Entry            % turf mortality                                             ______________________________________                                        Tufcote          0.sup.2 0                                                    Tifgreen         3.3     1.7                                                  MS-Express       1.7     5.0                                                  Texturf 10       3.3     10.0                                                 MS-Pride         5.0     25.0                                                 Midiron          11.7    11.7                                                 Tifway           5.0     36.7                                                 Tifway II        5.0     36.7                                                 MS-Choice        11.7    36.7                                                 Arizona Common   35.0    88.3                                                 LSD (0.05)       11.6    12.9                                                 Mean             8.2     25.2                                                 ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Field plot were located in Beltsville, MD.                             .sup.2 The % of plot area lost to low temperature killed was based on a       visual evaluation of turf lost immediately following spring greenup in        May.                                                                     

                  TABLE 13                                                        ______________________________________                                        Comparative leafspot (Helminthosporium spp.) and dollarspot                   (Sclerotinia spp.) disease resistance of MS-Pride and nine other              bermudagrasses.                                                               Bermudagrass    Disease Rating                                                Entry           Leaf Spot                                                                              Dollar Spot                                          ______________________________________                                        MS-Pride        8.8.sup.1                                                                              8.4                                                  MS-Express      8.7      7.7                                                  Tifgreen        8.3      7.3                                                  Tifway II       8.3      8.5                                                  Texturf 10      8.2      8.7                                                  Tifway          8.2      8.7                                                  MS-Choice       7.9      6.4                                                  Midiron         7.8      8.7                                                  Tufcote         7.0      8.8                                                  Arizona Common  6.2      8.6                                                  LSD (0.05)      0.73     0.83                                                 Mean            7.9      8.2                                                  Entry x Year    **       **                                                   Interaction                                                                   Year(s) data was                                                                              1986     1986                                                 collected       1988     1988                                                 ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Disease rating based on a visual scale of 1 to 9; with 9 = no          disease damage (excellent disease resistance) and 1 = high incidence of       disease damage (poor disease resistance).                                     *, ** Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability, respectively                                                                              

What is claimed is:
 1. A Bermudagrass plant substantially as describedand illustrated in the specification herein.